In A.D. 303, the Roman emperor Diocletian issued a series of edicts against Christians: the destruction of church buildings, the burning of God’s Word, a ban on Christians serving in public office and a mandatory sacrifice to the Roman gods upon penalty of death. Philip, a bishop at the church in Heraclea, was urged to leave the city. But Philip insisted on staying. He was pressured by city officials to hand over the church’s artifacts and ornaments as well as the church’s copies of the Scriptures. “We will give you the vessels and treasure,” Philip replied, “for we do not worship God with precious metal, but with fear. But it is not fitting for me to give you the Scriptures.” Philip was tortured and eventually executed with Hermes, a deacon.